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Original poster

Please remind me, those of you who don't iron.........

71 replies

gingertoo · 27/07/2009 22:03

.....how do you do it??!

I have just emptied my washing basket and my ironing basket for the first time since DS3 was born (he was two last week ) and I'm determined not to get it in that state again!

So, please talk me through it - How do you do your laundry so that most of it doesn't need to be ironed???

OP posts:
AnnieLobeseder · 28/07/2009 09:23

Sometimes, things might still look a little creased as they're folded up to be put away, but the creases tend to get squished out by the weight of other clothes etc when in the cupboard and everyting is crease-free when you take it out of the cupboard again.

AnnieLobeseder · 28/07/2009 09:24

Glad to hear there are school uniform non-ironers here. DD1 starts in September and I've been very worried that I'd have to dig the iron out of the depths of the shed for for uniform!

suwoo · 28/07/2009 09:27

There is just one simple rule- don't buy anything that need ironing. Thats it .

DH wears shirts to work and irons his own. I buy polos for school and they don't need ironing (especially when worn under pinafores )

Everything else is made up of jeans and jersey type tops- nothing that needs ironing.

Simple.

themoon · 28/07/2009 09:31

My first child started school in 1991. My youngest child finished school last month. That is 18 years of school.

I have never ironed a single item of school uniform in all those 18 years. Honestly.

Strategic drying is what it's all about.

Hang things very smooth and tight on the line with minimal use of pegs. Or lie things perfectly flat on radiators. Find a way of folding shirts so they sort of iron themselves on the radiator.

cat64 · 28/07/2009 11:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

peachsmuggler · 28/07/2009 12:29

Ermm, have you ever tried wearing your clothes without ironing them and then look at yourself in the mirror after 20 minutes. you can't tell the difference.

I don't iron anything. DP irons his work shirts and that's it. There is absolutely no need for almost anything to be ironed.

Release yoerself from the bondage of the ironing pile gingertoo and be free!!!

Flamesparrow · 28/07/2009 12:32

For me - buy as few clothes that NEED ironing as possible.

Fabric softener helps

Fold as you take it out of the machine, leave 5 mins or so, then hang out to dry (stops the initial crumples forming).

Dresses and shirts I dry on hangers.

I don't keep on top of my washing pile. An ironing pile too would make me suicidal.

I iron for school, weddings, and funerals.

Original poster
gingertoo · 28/07/2009 22:02

Well, I've done it!

All of today's washing has been washed, dried and put away unironed!!

My ironing basket remains empty (Ds3 has been playing 'boats' in it all afternoon) and it feels great!

(I must sound like a complete saddo, but I can't tell you how long I've been wanting to sort all that 'ironing pile' out. I even put it in a bin bag to move house )

So, thank you, thank you lovely mumsnetters for all your advice.

OP posts:
LyraSilvertongue · 28/07/2009 22:18

Do you feel liberated, gingertoo?

oneopinionatedmother · 28/07/2009 22:24

M&S ultimate non-iron shirts for the DH.

hang them up out of the wash....job done (though he can do it himself if he wants to get it just perfect)

I don't see any reason to iron anything else. My work trousers get hung out and then are alright (i mean, if i got them perfect they'd only crease on the way to work..kinda pointless?)

EldonAve · 28/07/2009 22:26

wash shirts all together on a low spin wash
hang straight onto hangers

whomovedmychocolate · 28/07/2009 22:41

Please tell me this is a joke. You must iron your clothes surely?

I even iron DD's knickers and she just wees on 'em!

LyraSilvertongue · 28/07/2009 22:45

No. Never. Life is too short.

Lauree · 28/07/2009 22:59

Don't Iron. Just don't do it. learn to buy clothes that don't need it, and hang them to dry carefully. my mum showed me how to 'snap' clothes out to get rid of creases, IFYKWIM.
Think of all the electricity you'll save.

Did have a problem though when I was using a tumble. got everything too hot, and fixed creases in. Don't do that either. All that lint should still be part of your clothes, dear god I love my clothes, I don't want to have to throw a percentage in the bin every time I dry them!

passionfruity · 28/07/2009 23:36

I don't iron either but I thought it was just me!

Another tip in addition to those already mentioned: don't put jeans in the same wash as tops / t-shirts because the heavy cotton of the jeans makes the tops crease.

CarGirl · 28/07/2009 23:40

lower spin speed on the washing machine produces fewer creases! I always make sure I'm around when the washing machine finishes or use the rinse hold button thingy.

I ddry clothes on hangers winter and summer, makes the putting away quicker too.

Hope you are feeling liberated!

Original poster
gingertoo · 29/07/2009 11:22

Liberated - yes!!

OP posts:
GColdtimer · 29/07/2009 11:32

I don't iron. i had to find the iron the other day to wonder web a hem (I don't sew either) and DD said "mummy, what are you DOING"?

like others have said, get it out of the washing machine quickly, give it a good shake and smooth out items that look like they are going to crease or put them on hangers. fold properly. Voila.

ChristieF · 29/07/2009 13:37

Hmm I'm not sure about this. Think that even with fab cond, tumble drier etc things still look creased. If not creased then not smart if you know what I mean. Suppose it depends how bothered you are really. There are more important things in life than ironing but I do like a sharp crease in trousers and a shirt sleeve.

ChristieF · 29/07/2009 13:40

The "secret" seems to be not to buy clothes that need ironing. How do you do school shirts or work shirts? I buy M&S non-iron shirts for both and they certainly need ironing. Non-iron my foot. Also their non-iron bedlinen idea is nonsense. They come out as creased as everything else. And I never cram the washer.

potplant · 29/07/2009 13:56

Thanks for thread. I think I might experiment with the no-ironing approach to life. I always leave mine inthe machine too long and it sits in the ironing basket forever!

I always have a large pile of ironing and it is a bit depressing as I have nowhere to put it - so I have to look at it every time I go to the kitchen.

ChristieF - you iron sheets - seriously?!

GColdtimer · 29/07/2009 14:18

christi, I agree with you about smart work wear but bed linen? Just give it a good shake and smooth out creases when it comes out of the tumbler. Honestly, people think I iron mine, which of course would be ridiculous

ChristieF · 29/07/2009 14:21

No I don't iron sheets. Pointless. But I do iron one side of duvet covers.

potplant · 29/07/2009 14:30

twofalls - 'people think I iron mine' - How many 'people' do you have inspecting your beds!

differentID · 29/07/2009 14:40

I iron dh work shirts- one every morning and then any formal shirts get ironed when they are needed.

Apart from that, everything gets folded properly when it comes out of the drier and no creases.

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